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Gold Bugs warn of weakness

By Colin Twiggs
March 27th, 2013 9:30 p.m. ET (12:30 p:m AET)

These extracts from my trading diary are for educational purposes. Any advice contained therein is provided for the general information of readers and does not have regard to any particular person's investment objectives, financial situation or needs and must not be construed as advice to buy, sell, hold or otherwise deal with any securities or other investments. Accordingly, no reader should act on the basis of any information contained therein without first having consulted a suitably qualified financial advisor. Full terms and conditions can be found at
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The Gold Bugs Index ($HUI) representing un-hedged gold stocks has under-performed spot gold since the GFC in 2008, with a safe-haven premium priced into the metal. But $HUI diverged strongly in mid-2012, commencing a strong primary down-trend while spot gold continues to range above support.

On the weekly chart spot gold continues to test resistance at 1620 — and the upper trend channel. Failure to break out would threaten primary support at $1500 to $1550. Reversal of 13-week Twiggs Momentum below zero already warns of a primary down-trend and failure of support at $1500 would confirm; a TMO peak below zero would strengthen the signal.

Conclusion:

I am not yet convinced that gold is headed for a primary down-trend, but substantial outflows from gold ETFs in recent months highlight investors returning to the stock market. Inflation is muted, with central bank expansionary policies merely counteracting deflationary pressures from credit contraction. Opportunities for another bull run on gold appear distant — unless a major catastrophe sparks more QE — but respect of primary support would signal further ranging between $1500 and $1800.

Dollar Index

A stronger dollar contributes to weaker gold prices. Breakout of the Dollar Index above 84.00 would signal an advance to 89.00/90.00. Rising momentum suggests continuation of the up-trend.

Crude Oil

Brent Crude is falling in response to the contraction in Europe, while Nymex Crude breakout above $98/barrel would signal a primary up-trend in response to a reviving US economy. Reversal of Brent Crude below $106/barrel would signal a primary down-trend, narrowing the price gap between the two continents.

Commodities

Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index is in a primary down-trend, headed for another test of the 2012 low at 126. Divergence between the index and S&P 500 suggests that the rise in equities does not reflect a recovery in the US manufacturing base — and may be prone to failure if manufacturing does not respond.

Politics is not an end, but a means. It is not a product, but a process. It is the art of government. Like other values it has its counterfeits. So much emphasis has been placed upon the false that the significance of the true has been obscured and politics has come to convey the meaning of crafty and cunning selfishness, instead of candid and sincere service.

~ Calvin Coolidge

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